Below is a short list of other organizations working on prison issues, mainly with a legal focus. When writing to these groups, please remember a few things:

Write simply and specifically, but don’t try and write like you think a lawyer would. Be direct in explaining yourself and what you are looking for.

It is best not to send any legal documents unless they are requested. If or when you do send legal documents, only send copies. Hold on to your original paperwork.

Because of rulings like the PLRA and limited funding, many organizations are small, have limited resources and volunteer staff. It may take some time for them to answer your letters. But always keep writing.

Please note: The contact information for these resources is current as of the printing of this Handbook in 2011.

Do not send money for publications unless you have verified the address of the organization first.

American Civil Liberties Union National Office
125 Broad Street, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10004
The biggest civil liberties organization in the country. They have a National Prison Project and a Reproductive Freedom Project, which might be helpful to women prisoners. Write them for information about individual chapters. See Appendix J for some of their publications for people in prison.

Critical Resistance, National Office
1904 Franklin St., Suite 504, Oakland, CA 94612
Uniting people in prison, former prisoners, and family members to lead a movement to abolish prisons, policing, surveillance, and other forms of control.

Family and Corrections Network
32 Oak Grove Road, Palmyra, VA 22963

Federal Resource Center for Children of PrisonersChild Welfare League of America
1726 M St. NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC, 20036

Legal Services for Prisoners with Children
1540 Market St., Suite 490, San Francisco, CA 94102
Legal resources and issues around women in prison, including guides and manuals for people in prison with children.

Partnership for Safety and Justice – Prison Program
825 N.E. 20th Ave., #250, Portland, OR 97232
Produces a Prisoner Support Directory, advocates for programs for prisoners, visitors’ rights, and against legislation that erodes the human rights of people in prison.

Prison Law Office – San Quentin
General Delivery, San Quentin CA 94964
Legal services and resources in California for individual prisoners and class actions. Publishers of The California State Prisoners Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Prison and Parole Law .

Prisoner Self Help Legal Clinic
Very good self-help legal kits on a variety of issues, available only electronically at www.pshlc.org.